SEC TV Guide: CFB Playoff Edition

The biggest game for the SEC has now shifted to Arlington, Texas and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. No doubt Jerry Jones will be in attendance scouting the two teams that will square off inside his own house, AT&T Stadium. Jones will most likely be looking at new talent for his beloved Dallas Cowboys, as he looks to rebuild (again). But for the time being, it’s between SEC Champion Alabama and Big Ten Champion Michigan State to vie for a spot in the national championship game in Phoenix. The SEC is now 3-1 in bowl games, all SEC West teams which is a huge improvement from last sesaon. It’s up to Nick Saban to move the SEC up to the final level or the remaining bowl games will once again be a consolation.

Alabama is in the CFB Playoff for the second straight earning the right by beating Florida for their second straight SEC Championship. The workforce behind their success is Heisman Trophy running back Derrick Henry and their extremely tight defensive line. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and linebacker Tim Williams were second and third in the SEC behind Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett with 10 sacks each. Defensive back Eddie Jackson is in a three-way tie in the SEC with five interceptions this season.

The Crimson Tide is now one less defensive back, as they sent home Tony Brown for violation of team rules. Brown played in all 13 games as a backup and made only 16 tackles. With the shaky situation in the quarterback category, Jake Coker emerged as the true starter after being defeated by Ole Miss at home. The quarterback depth did however become thin as backup Alec Morris announced that he would transfer to North Texas after this season. Morris was considered to be a possible starter before the season began.

Meanwhile, the Spartans made their way to Dallas by beating Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan State is fourth in total offense and third in rushing defense in the Big Ten this season. The Spartans were second behind Iowa in interceptions with 12, two of those for a touchdown and fourth in sacks. Linebacker Riley Bullough leads the Spartans with 95 total tackles and defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun is their sack machine with 10.5.

Quarterback Conner Cook looks to make a statement as he recovers from a shoulder injury, causing him to miss one game against Ohio State. Cook says he still felt the effects, but managed to carry the Spartans on to the Big Ten Championship. Cook is third in the Big Ten in passing average and second in pass efficiency. Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge leads the Big Ten in nearly all reception categories. Only thing to pin back Alabama deep is punter Jake Hartbarger, who is fourth in the conference with a 42.1 average.

This is another case of Saban-like teams coming together once again, as Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio replaced Nick Saban after going to LSU, and Dantonio has held the job since. This is only the second meeting since 2011 as Alabama trounced them in Capital One Bowl in 2011. Don’t think for a moment this hasn’t phased out. We are talking about two of the major powerhouses in the country vying for supremacy. It’s the second straight meeting between the SEC and the Big Ten for the right to play for the big one in Phoenix, and Alabama looks to even that series.